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Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 2026

1. Overview

This Privacy Policy explains how DEF Search (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and safeguards information when you use our website and our iOS mobile application (collectively, the “Service”). We are committed to keeping your information minimal, secure, and never sold to third parties.

2. Information We Collect

We collect only the information needed to operate the Service:

  • Approximate location: If you grant permission, your device’s current coordinates are used to find nearby stations and center the map. See Section 3 below for full details on how location is handled.
  • Email address: Collected when you create a moderator account, submit the contact form, suggest a new station, or report an issue with a station. Used to operate your account and to reply to your submission. See Section 4 below for full details.
  • Account identifier: When you create a moderator account, we assign a unique account ID (UUID) that’s linked to your email. It’s used internally to associate your account with your moderation actions and submissions.
  • Submitted content: When you suggest a new station or report an issue, we collect the information you provide (such as station details and notes).
  • Verification taps: When you tap “DEF is here” or “No DEF” on a station, we record the tap (without identifying you) so we can show how recently a station was verified.
  • Preferences: Settings such as theme, units, and map style are stored locally on your device.
  • Anonymous usage statistics: We record counts of station detail views, navigation taps, and top search-result impressions so we can identify the most useful stations and report aggregate trends. These counts are not linked to your identity, email, IP address, or any device identifier, and timestamps are rounded to the hour.
  • Basic usage data: Standard server logs may record information such as IP address, request timestamps, and pages visited for security and reliability purposes.

3. Location Data

When you use the map or the “find nearby” feature, your device’s current coordinates are transmitted to our backend solely to query stations near you and return the results to your device. Specifically:

  • We do not store your coordinates. They are used in memory to run the nearby-stations query and then discarded.
  • We do not link your coordinates to your identity, account, email, or any persistent device identifier.
  • We do not use your location for advertising, profiling, analytics, or any form of cross-app or cross-site tracking.
  • Your location is never shared with any third party for advertising or marketing purposes.

Location is requested only while you are actively using the app (“While Using”), and you can revoke permission at any time in iOS Settings › DEF Search or in your browser settings.

4. Email Address

We collect your email address in a few specific places, and only for the reasons described below:

  • Moderator account: Email is your sign-in identifier and is used to send authentication and account-related messages.
  • Contact form: So we can reply to your message.
  • Suggest a station: So we can confirm receipt and follow up if we need clarification.
  • Report a station issue: So we can confirm receipt and let you know the outcome.

How we handle it:

  • Your email is linked to your account or submission so we can reply or moderate.
  • We do not use your email for advertising, profiling, analytics, or any form of cross-app or cross-site tracking.
  • Your email is never shared with any third party for advertising or marketing purposes.
  • You can request removal of submissions tied to your email at any time through our support page.

5. How We Use Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Provide, maintain, and improve the Service;
  • Display nearby stations based on your location;
  • Review and act on user-submitted suggestions and reports;
  • Respond to inquiries you send to us;
  • Detect and prevent abuse, fraud, or security issues.

6. Cookies and Local Storage

DEF Search uses your browser’s (or in-app web view’s) local storage to remember your preferences (theme, units, and map style) so the app feels consistent across visits. We do not use advertising cookies or third-party tracking pixels.

7. Mobile App Permissions

The DEF Search iOS app may request the following device permissions. You can change your choice at any time in iOS Settings › DEF Search.

  • Location (While Using): Used only to center the map on your position and to find nearby stations. We do not track your location in the background and we do not store your location history.

The app does not request access to your camera, microphone, photos, contacts, calendar, reminders, motion data, Bluetooth, or notifications.

8. Third-Party Services

We rely on a small number of trusted service providers to operate the Service. They process data only on our behalf and under their own published policies:

  • Lovable Cloud (Supabase): Hosts our station database and handles authentication for moderators.
  • Map & geocoding provider: Renders the map tiles and converts addresses you search into coordinates. Search queries are sent to the provider to return results.
  • Cloudflare: Serves the application and provides edge caching and basic abuse protection.

9. Data Retention

We keep submitted suggestions and reports for as long as needed to review them and to maintain a record of moderation decisions. You can request deletion of submissions tied to your email at any time (see Section 12). Server logs are retained for a limited period for security and diagnostic purposes.

10. Sharing of Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share information only when required by law, to enforce our Terms of Service, or with the trusted service providers listed above under confidentiality obligations.

11. Data Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the information we collect. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

12. Your Choices

  • You can deny or revoke location permission at any time in iOS Settings › DEF Search, or in your browser settings.
  • You can clear stored preferences by clearing the app’s data or your browser’s site data.
  • You can request removal of submissions tied to your email through our support page.
  • Moderators can permanently delete their own account from within the moderator area at any time.

13. Children’s Privacy

DEF Search is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can remove it.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the “Last updated” date above. Significant changes will be highlighted within the Service when appropriate.

15. Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy can be sent through our support page.

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